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Diversity and distribution of mangrove flora in the Attaragoda wetland, Galle with some notes on avifauna
By lakmali | March 22, 2010
B. Jayasekara1, I.R. Wedage2 and P. N. Dayawansa2
Attaragoda is a mangrove wetland situated in the Southern Coast (Latitude: 6 1′ 60N, Longitude: 80
15′ 0E), 3km outside Galle. This luxuriant patch of mangrove forest faces immense pressure due to human activities. Diversity and distribution of mangrove species in relation to salinity levels and species
richness of avifauna were studied from January to June 2009The area was subdivided into three zones based on salinity levels. Zone 1 with recurrent tidal effect had a salinity range of 33-40ppt. Salinity of Zone 2 with moderate influence of tides ranged between 26- 32ppt. Salinity of Zone 3 with least influence of tides ranged between 20-28ppt.
Diversity and distribution of mangrove flora was carried out using quadrat (20×20m) sampling technique. Species richness of birds were determined by carrying out line transects and opportunistic observations. Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index (DI) was calculated to describe floral diversity. Twelve species of true mangroves and six mangrove associates were recorded. Out of eighteen species six were known to be introduced to the wetland. Species richness of Zone 1, 2 and 3 were seven (No. of plots sampled; n=7), six (n=3) and five (n=4) respectively. Increased species richness of Zone 1 is due to introduced species of true mangroves: Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal and Aegiceras corniculatum
Highest diversity and evenness were recorded from Zone 3 (DI=0.42, J=0.78) and lowest diversity was
recorded in Zone 1 (DI=0.23, J=0.46). Dominant species in Zone 1 were Rhizophora apiculata, Excoecarica agallocha and Clerodendrone inerme. Zone 2 (DI=0.33, J=0.46) was dominated by Rhizophora apiculata and Acanthus illicifolius. True mangrove species Sonneratia caseolaris, Avicennia
officinalis, Heritiera littoralis, Luminitzera racemosa and mangrove associate Cerbera manghas were
recorded opportunistically in Zone 2. Acanthus illicifolius was exclusive to Zone 2.
Avifauna consisted of 35 species, of which, 20 were wetland species. There were nine species of migratory birds including one scarce winter visitor- Malayan Night Heron, indicating that Attaragoda wetland is an important destination for migratory birds. Immediate steps should be taken to assure degradation of this wetland habitat by human interventions.
B. Jayasekara1, I.R. Wedage2 and P. N. Dayawansa2
1Department of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura,
Sri Lanka 2Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Topics: Biodiversity, sympoisum 2009 | 5 Comments »
March 22nd, 2010 at 12:37 pm
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March 22nd, 2010 at 12:37 pm
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August 20th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Dear Sir/madam,
i am doing my Ph.D in the university of Pune in the Microbiology dept. I would like to know if you can send us either mangroove seeds or saplings as we are doing some restoration work using microbes. It would be a great help and we would like to have a collaboration with your university.
thanking you,
divya
August 27th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
@Divya Prakash
Please contact authors for details. Contact authors for this paper are Benica Jayasekara benicaradhinie@yahoo.com (Forestry Undergraduate at University of Sri Jayewardenepura) and Irushinie Wedage irushinie_w@yahoo.com from Colombo University
Benica Jayasekara
Irushinie Wedage
September 7th, 2010 at 9:52 am
It is nice to get information regarding mangrove flora. its is very useful for me.
Regards,
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